UK Number 40s: Matt Goss - The Key (1995)

 

In the summer of 1995 it was all over the news that Robbie Williams had left Take That and on The Big Breakfast he stated his intention of launching a solo career.

What few realised was that another former boy band member was just launching his solo career. It had been 4 years since Bros had last been in the Top 40. Following their break up Luke Goss was first to launch their post-Bros career with his Band of Thieves in 1993 where they had 2 singles that failed to reach the Top 40.

Matt Goss maintained a low profile until he released this his debut hit in 1995. It was a Eurodance record and vocal wise you could tell it was Matt Goss singing even if he looked quite different from his Bros days.

Hey also released an album of the same name in 1996 which included follow up single "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away" which didn't chart and a cover of the Alexander O'Neal song "If You Were Here Tonight" which made number 23.

That was it until the 21st century where like many celebrities of yesteryear he went down the reality TV route. He would have a further 2 Top 40 hits in the lower reaches of the charts plus many more singles which didn't chart.

He found his greatest success as a solo artist though with his Vegas residency which began in 2009. Bros reunited in 2017.

Top 30 in 1993 Reviewed: Week 9

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 30 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Sunday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1993 with my verdict on each record:

30. Boyz II Men - In The Still Of The Nite (I'll Remember) (New)

A cover of the Five Satins song. I do like a bit of 50s doo wop music that you'd expect groups of people singing on street corners at the time. This cover has kept that 50s doo wop sound rather than modernise it. On that basis I can't really fault this record.

Verdict - Good

29. Dina Carroll - This Time (New)

Having scored her only Billboard 100 hit to date with her first ballad single "So Close" Dina Carroll followed up with another ballad. It wouldn't be the last ballad she'd have a hit with either. A ballad can be an absolute masterpiece if done well, but 90% of them are just boring and this is one of the 90%.

Verdict - Rubbish

28. Peter Polycarpou - Love Hurts

This was the theme tune to the TV series of the same name. It definitely sounds like a TV theme tune as well. Not too bad to listen to 30 seconds of at the start and end of a TV show, but not as a full song. 

Verdict - Rubbish

27. Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name (New)

This record brings back so many memories for me. I remember listening to it for the first time on someone's Walkman. I remember being challenged to sing it to someone as proof that I'd heard Rage Against The Machines music. That same person was adamant they were underground and you had to go to a specialist shop to buy the album even though I could see it for sale in the local Our Price. Clearly enough people knew this song when it made Christmas number one in 2009.

Verdict - Good

26. USURA - Open Your Mind

This one reminds me of school discos where someone was getting pissed off with me copying their dance moves. I wasn't aware of the Simple Minds tune this sampled at the time, but now I'm very familiar with it I realise there's not really that much difference between the two records.

Verdict - Good

25. Sting - If I Ever Lose My Faith In You

Sting is a prime example of someone who spent a few years in an iconic band followed by many years of releasing bucket loads of instantly forgettable crap. To be fair I do remember this record and a couple of his hits are alright, but this isn't one of them.

Verdict - Rubbish

24. Saint Etienne - You're In A Bad Way

Also known as the one about Bruce on the Generation Game. I always hated that show but it was much better than the dancing nonsense he went on to present later on. Anyway to the song. It was Saint Etienne's 4th Top 40 hit and the first to make the Top 20. It certainly sounds more pop than their previous efforts, but in a good way.

Verdict - Good

23. Stereo MC's - Ground Level

This was the 3rd Top 40 hit from their "Connected" album. If memory serves me correctly it was the only Top 40 hit not included on the TV advert for their album. I didn't buy the album at the time but bought it later on in life from HMV in Oxford St. 

Verdict - Good

22. Bizarre Inc ft Angie Brown - Took My Love (New)

The 4th Top 40 hit for Bizarre Inc which put them level at the time with fellow rave acts The Prodigy, Altern-8 and SL2. It was their last Top 40 hit from the rave era, but they would be back with a completely different sound. It's one for the charts rather than the clubs, but I have the album and I never skip it.

Verdict - Good

21. The Beloved - Sweet Harmony

This record is best remembered for it's video full of naked people rather than the actual tune. Reading through the video comments I came across one that sums it up perfectly for me "It sounds great and the message is still something to aspire to. It's a shame the years have made me cynical.". 

Verdict - Good

20. Metallica - Sad But True

This was the final Top 40 hit from their black album. It's probably got the most famous pause of all time in it. Around the time once I'd acquired enough tapes I put together my own compilation and this was the first song on it.

Verdict - Good

19. Snap! ft Niki Haris - Exterminate!

I did like this record at the time but haven't heard it since. I was expecting not to like it now though as I've become much less tolerant of eurodance in general, but I was pleasantly surprised to find I still like it. The fact it's breakbeat rather than the kick drum probably helps, but it sounds like a proper dance record.

Verdict - Good

18. Tasmin Archer - In Your Care (New)

Yes that's right, Tasmin Archer had another hit. In fact she had 5 Top 40 hits in total with this being her 2nd. I have to say when the chorus comes in and she starts singing "son of a bitch you broke my heart" it's quite something. Unfortunately the rest of the song isn't strong enough for me to truly like it.

Verdict - OK

17. REM - The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite

I remember hearing this on the radio for the first time and the DJ said something along the lines of "here's the new REM record, check out the lyrics to this" before playing it. By the end of the song I think the only lyrics I could make out were "can only swallow money". Many people though he was singing "calling Jamaica" in the chorus but he wasn't. Anyway I guess it all gives the song character.

Verdict - Good

16. M People - How Can I Love You More

This originally made the Top 40 in 1991 but was remixed in 1993 to sound more like a pop record which is the direction they took for the rest of the decade. I guess you could call it dance music for people who aren't into dance music. I am into dance music though.

Verdict - Rubbish

15. Right Said Fred And Friends - Stick It Out (New)

This was the comic relief single for 1993 and was therefore being played all the time at the time. I don't think I've heard it since though. It was a truly dreadful song but I think that was the point. 

Verdict - Rubbish

14. Rolf Harris - Stairway To Heaven

This was actually the first version of "Stairway To Heaven" that I heard. As such I found it difficult to take the original Led Zeppelin version seriously. That said the original is very overrated in my opinion. This cover is crap, but it's supposed to be.

Verdict - Rubbish

13. Shaggy - Oh Carolina

I was yet to enter my phase as a rock purist because when this record came out it was my favourite song. I was such a fan that when I was getting sunglasses to go on holiday I said I wanted sunglasses like Shaggy. 

Verdict - Good

12. Duran Duran - Ordinary World

If ever there was proof that everyone's got one good song in them, then this is it. I'm not a fan of Duran Duran, I've always found their music irritating generally speaking. But this record is excellent. It's easy to point the finger at the guitaring for making this record so good and it certainly contributes to that, but everything about it is good.

Verdict - Good

11. Rod Stewart - Ruby Tuesday

This was the 6th Top 40 hit of the 90s for Rod Stewart with all 6 hits being covers. It was also his first of the 90s not to make the Top 10. I can't imagine too many people under 40 were buying his records by this point though, I certainly wasn't.

Verdict - Rubbish

10. West End ft Sybil - The Love I Lost

We're into the final year of Stock and Waterman having hits which begins with this. It sounds like Stock and Waterman had little to do with it though, it's a cover and production was done by West End aka Eddie Gordon amongst others who were uncredited. That would explain why this record is actually quite good.

Verdict - Good

9. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You

You couldn't escape this record at the time, it was everywhere. I recall "The Bodyguard" film which this was taken from being massive as well. Let's just say the film was much better than the song.

Verdict - Rubbish

8. Depeche Mode - I Feel You (New)

It's quite well documented that Depeche Mode got darker as the years went on. In the late 80s their music was darker than the early 80s but still came under the synth pop category. By this point they seemed more of a rock band with synthesizers being replaced by guitars. 

Verdict - Good

7. East 17 - Deep

It had already been established that boys weren't supposed to like Take That, but nobody had said anything about East 17 yet. Therefore I would make no secret at the time that I liked this record. It was their first Top 5 hit.

Verdict - Good

6. Michael Jackson - Give In To Me (New)

The singles kept on coming from the "Dangerous" album with this being the 7th. Whilst most of these singles had been new jack swing ones, this one was a rock song with Slash playing the guitar on it. I never liked it at the time because in my mind it couldn't be a proper rock song if it was by Michael Jackson. It has grown on me since.

Verdict - Good

5. Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way

When it came to peoples Top 10 bands, solo artists were allowed though they rarely featured because rock music was mostly done by bands. One solo artist in many peoples Top 10 around this time was Lenny Kravitz based on this record alone. Then it became apparent this was the same man who did "It Ain't Over Til It's Over" a couple of years prior and he followed this up with the very mellow "Believe". We all still liked this song though, but he was no longer worthy of a place in our Top 10s.

Verdict - Good

4. Whitney Houston - I'm Every Woman

A week after Whitney Houston was finally knocked off the top spot we got this Top 5 follow up. It's also from "The Bodyguard" film and is a cover of the Chaka Khan record. At least this one isn't as depressing, but that's the only positive thing I can say about it.

Verdict - Rubbish

3. Annie Lennox - Little Bird / Love Song For A Vampire

This double a-side is often a question on Popmaster and that's how I learned it was a double a-side. "Little Bird" was the one I remember being played at the time and I never really thought much of it. I have no recollection of hearing "Love Song For A Vampire" at the time. I've heard it since and don't think much of it either.

Verdict - Rubbish / Rubbish

2. Take That - Why Can't I Wake Up With You

The lead single from their "Everything Changes" album. I'd say this ones long forgotten now, it's not one you hear anymore. Yet it was Take That's biggest hit to this point. That said they only had 1 single that didn't reach number one after this during their original run. I absolutely detested this song at the time and haven't really changed my mind.

Verdict - Rubbish

1. 2 Unlimited - No Limit

The tune which knocked Whitney Houston off number one which everybody sang "there's no lyrics" to. I'm terrible at making out lyrics in songs and I remember being criticised for not knowing the words to the other bit she sings and remember other people telling me what the words were. My thoughts were they would have been better of genuinely having no lyrics.

Verdict - Rubbish

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 17.5/30, or 58%. Same as last week.

Top 30 in 1996 Reviewed: Week 8

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 27 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Friday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1996 with my verdict on each record:

30. Mike And The Mechanics - All I Need Is A Miracle '96

When Mike And The Mechanics first hit the Top 40 in 1986 they were perhaps regarded as being a bit old fashioned given all its members came from 70s groups. This record failed to reach the Top 40 when first released in 1986, but succeeded a decade later and I remember thinking it sounded out of place in 1996. It also suffered from being played on Now 33 too much at the time. That all said, it isn't bad.

Verdict - OK

29. Alcatraz - Giv Me Luv

The only Top 40 hit for Alcatraz and the only record they made under this name. Member Victor Imbres has been quite prolific over the years though and has other Top 40 hits under different aliases to his name. A decent no nonsense house record.

Verdict - Good

28. Diana Ross - I Will Survive

Diana Ross had a hugely successful Top 40 comeback in the early 90s, but her Top 40 career had taken a nosedive by this point. That's the only explanation I can think of to explain why she did this pointless cover. I've always hated the original of this, it's the sort of record that gave disco a bad name in my opinion. This cover does nothing to improve it.

Verdict - Rubbish

27. Clock - Holding On 4 U (New)

This was the 7th Top 40 hit for Clock and the 7th and final Top 40 from their debut album "It's Time". I always viewed Clock as commercial cheese but didn't realise at the time that the main man behind Clock was Stu Allan. He was a well respected DJ and this was his commercial vehicle a bit like Mike Pickering with M People. Much like M People, it's not to my taste.

Verdict - Rubbish

26. Cher - One By One

This was the 7th Top 40 hit in a row by Cher that was a cover and this wouldn't be the end of the streak either. It was originally by The Real People. It's a song I remember getting annoyed at hearing all the time on Now 33. I've not heard it since and hopefully won't hear it again.

Verdict - Rubbish

25. MN8 - Pathway To The Moon (New)

When MN8 made their chart debut a year earlier with "I've Got A Little Something For You" it was very much of the commercial British R&B variety that's inferior to it's American counterpart, but was a lot of fun to listen to. By this record the fun had gone. It's like they'd gone from being a commercial British Jodeci to a commercial British Boyz II Men.

Verdict - Rubbish

24. Alanis Morissette - You Learn (New)

The 3rd Top 40 hit for Alanis Morissette with all 3 being amongst her better known hits but she was still yet to break the Top 20. Maybe most of the people who would have bought those singles already owned her "Jagged Little Pill" album. I personally found Alanis Morrissette's record very hit or miss and in this case it's a miss.

Verdict - Rubbish

23. Ocean Colour Scene - The Riverboat Song

It's impossible to listen to this record and not think about TFI Friday. Just incase you didn't know, it was the guitar intro to this that the guests on TFI Friday would walk out to. It was the first of 10 Top 40 hits in the 90s for Ocean Colour Scene. 6 of those hits made the Top 10, but this wasn't one of them. In fact it was the 2nd lowest charting. It's without doubt the best record they ever did though.

Verdict - Good

22. Heller And Farley Project - Ultra Flava (New)

Pete Heller and Terry Farley were big names in the dance music scene and had previously had a Top 40 hit under the name of Fire Island. This was their only Top 40 hit as Heller And Farley Project and is one of the anthems from the time. I do think it earned that status though.

Verdict - Good

21. Grace - Skin On Skin (New)

The 3rd Top 40 hit for Grace which continues the trance sound of their previous 2 hits and came at a time when there wasn't an awful lot of trance records in the Top 40. As a result there was absolutely no shame in saying you liked trance at the time because generally it was pretty good. 

Verdict - Good

20. Candy Girls ft Sweet Pussy Pauline - Wham Bam (New)

The 2nd of 3 Top 40 hits for Candy Girls which was also their biggest. I'd also say this is my favourite of theirs. I mentioned from reviewing another hardbag track that the genre was nearing the end and starting to sound tired. This record goes against that statement, but I'm pretty sure this had been around a while before it got released.

Verdict - Good

19. Sepultura - Roots Bloody Roots (New)

Sepultura were a band I listened to when I was into metal music a couple of years prior. They were heavier than a lot of other bands I listened to and had never had a Top 40 hit at that point, facts I really liked. I didn't realise until years later that the album I had a copied tape of was from 1987. Anyway they finally scored their first Top 40 hit with this. I'd long moved on by this point though, realising I just find it a racket really.

Verdict - Rubbish

18. Simply Red - Never Never Love (New)

In 1996 nobody admitted to liking Simply Red even though people clearly did after they'd topped the charts the previous year. I get the criticism, but I generally find their music quite decent. This ones a pretty solid effort.

Verdict - Good

17. Mariah Carey - Open Arms

This was a cover of the Journey record, a band who America had kept to themselves from a Top 40 perspective by this point. If only they'd done the same with Mariah Carey and her dreary nonsense.

Verdict - Rubbish

16. The Bluetones - Slight Return

The 3rd Top 40 hit for The Bluetones which was really their breakthrough single. It was also their first Top 40 hit not to have blue in the title. It's catchy and still often gets played today. I could take it or leave it at the time, but can now see the appeal whilst being pretty sick of it at the same time.

Verdict - OK

15. Gabrielle - Give Me A Little More Time (New)

Despite being a brand new record in 1996, this sounds like it could have easily come out in 1966. That's not a bad thing though. I do remember hearing this a lot at the time so I did get a bit sick of it, but still not a bad tune.

Verdict - OK

14. John Alford - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

The Top 40 debut for singing actor John Alford which is a sort of reggae style cover of the song from Roberta. He was in the TV series "London's Burning" at the time so I guess a record like this is quite appropriate for the situation. Let's face it though, it's bloody awful. If he'd left it at that it would be fine, we'd got the joke and moved on. Unfortunately he didn't though.

Verdict - Rubbish

13. East 17 - Do U Still?

As a general rule, an East 17 song would consist of Tony rapping and Brian singing. If you had to pick who was the lead vocalist for these songs though, more often than not you'd say Brian. With this record though it's very much Tony taking centre stage and I remember at the time noting that Brian was very much a backing vocalist on it. It's an odd one, a great karaoke number that you can't really sing too badly and overall a great tune.

Verdict - Good

12. Whitney Houston And Ce Ce Winans - Count On Me (New)

What's becoming a bit of any eye opener for me is just how many rubbish records Babyface has written. I can only assume he keeps the good ones for himself. It's a Whitney Houston ballad from a movie, I guess it worked before. It's the only Top 40 hit to date for Ce Ce Winans.

Verdict - Rubbish

11. N-Trance - Electronic Pleasure (New)

This is the title track to their album which has "Set You Free" on it. Despite the massive impact "Set You Free" had on me, N-Trance did too much rubbish after for me to warrant buying the album. In include this track that doesn't sound an awful lot different to the rubbish Snap! were putting out a few years prior.

Verdict - Rubbish

10. Technohead - I Wanna Be A Hippy

In 1995 I was singing this all the time, and those not into rave had no idea what I was singing with some even thinking I was making it up. In 1996 here it was in the Top 40. Technohead were a British husband/wife duo who'd recorded under several aliases over the years. In the early 90s they relocated to Holland and topped the charts with this. By the time it charted over here though one of them had sadly passed away.

Verdict - Good

9. Etta James - I Just Want To Make Love To You

The Top 40 debut for Etta James with a record she'd first recorded 36 years prior in 1960. It was given a new lease of life thanks to its inclusion in the Diet Coke advert. It's quite strange listening to it the whole way through as even all these years later I'm used to it ending at the point it ended on the advert. A good tune, but the only time I've ever bought a Diet Coke is for someone else in a pub.

Verdict - Good

8. Bjork - Hyperballad (New)

This was the 3rd and final Top 10 hit to date for Bjork. I can only assumed this reached those heights off the back of the success of "It's Oh So Quiet". It's a complete non-entity of a record and this is why I was questioning who exactly is buying these Bjork records.

Verdict - Rubbish

7. Blur - Stereotypes (New)

When it came to the Blur vs Oasis battle the previous year, Blur picked the worst of the singles from "The Great Escape" album for that battle as I don't like "Country House" but like the other 3 singles of which this was the 2nd. It's an illustration of why I thought Blur were miles better than Oasis in their heyday.

Verdict - Good

6. Joan Osborne - One Of Us

The Top 40 debut and biggest hit for Joan Osborne, though the only one to feature here as her follow up failed to make the Top 40. I quite like the concept of god taking a bus back to heaven and getting a phone call from the pope. The first time I realised how much I liked this song was when it came on in a pub.

Verdict - Good

5. Lighthouse Family - Lifted

The 2nd Top 40 hit for the Lighthouse Family and the one which made them household names. They divide opinion but I find some of their music quite soothing and this is one of those. A great tune to listen to whilst driving on a country lane, not that I think I've ever done that. 

Verdict - Good

4. Luniz - I Got 5 On It

The Top 40 debut for Luniz and the only record many people know them for. It's an anthem no doubt which is possibly both a blessing and a curse for them. A blessing that they have such an iconic record but a curse that people only talk about the record and not Luniz as an act.

Verdict - Good

3. Robert Miles - Children (New)

A record you definitely couldn't avoid hearing in 1996, but what a tune. Like many dance records at the time, this was already over a year old by the time it was released. It's one of those tunes you can sit back and relax to but also get up and dance to, and I've done both.

Verdict - Good

2. 3T - Anything

You have to feel sorry for Tito Jackson really, a musician in his own right yet 3T were best known as Michael Jacksons nephews as opposed to Tito Jacksons sons. What I remember about this at the time was one of them having a backpack on that he'd throw to the ground part way through the song. No idea why he did that, maybe a distraction from the fact it's not a very good song.

Verdict - Rubbish

1. Babylon Zoo - Spaceman

One of the biggest disappointments of the 90s was hearing "Spaceman" in its entirety. When it appeared on the Levi's advert it sounded great. Then it appeared on Top of the Pops and I was looking forward to it. Once the intro, which appeared on the advert, was over it slowed down into a rather dreary song.

Verdict - Rubbish

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 15.5/30, or 43%. Back above 50%, I predicted it will do down next week.

Christmas Charts Rated: 2005

Top 40

Best Song: Eminem - When I'm Gone

This record closes the first era of Eminem. It was from his greatest hits album and he wouldn't be back with another album until 2009. The lack of Eminem was one reason why decent mainstream music became very scarce after this as you could often rely on Eminem to produce the goods. 

Worst Song: Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes - Don't Cha

Busta Rhymes started out quite prolific with releasing albums. Between his debut in 1996 and 2002 there was just one year when he didn't release an album. Then he signed with Aftermath and by this point he was still yet to release his next album. In the mean time he collaborated with girl group the Pussycat Dolls on their debut Top 40 hit. I guess he had nothing better to do. I remember finding this record really irritating at the time and it still sounds as bad as I remember it.

Top 40 Review

2005 was the year the charts seemed full of indie records. There were more indie Top 40 hits in 2005 than any other year, but in the Christmas Top 40 we have just 4 which come from Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes and Coldplay.

What does seem to dominate is pop acts with 2 hits, the culprits being Girls Aloud, Pussycat Dolls and Westlife. Additionally we have "George Best - A Tribute" by Brian Kennedy which is the same song as "You Raise Me Up" by Westlife which was in that Top 40.

It was the first year of the X Factor Christmas number one which was "That's My Goal" by Shane Ward. Additionally we have American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson in the Top 40.

There were 3 Christmas records in the Top 40 and surprisingly one of them provides a point. That is "Under The Tree" by Water Babies which was from the Vodafone advert. Written by Peter Lawlor of Stitlskin, it's a record I quite like.

In 2005 I remember someone telling me that cheesy music had gone from the charts, but one of the Christmas hits was "Is This The Way To Amarillo (Santa's Grotto)" which was definitely a novelty hit. We also had a Crazy Frog record plus "The JCB Song".

From a dance music perspective it was also cheese. There was a remake of "Listen to Your Heart", a "Strings of Life" remake with vocals called "I Just Can't Get Enough", "I Like Girls" by Hound Dogs which has cheese written all over it and "Your Body" by Tom Novy featuring Michael Marshall which I always found really irritating.

In the rap world we have a 50 Cent record and I've never rated him as a rapper. There's also the Black Eyed Peas taking another step into shitness making them unrecognisable from their 90s selves.

R&B wise it's more pop disguised as R&B except for "Be Without You" by Mary J Blige. I remember that record being a breath of fresh air compared to the other rubbish coming out at the time. That's the final record to contribute any points.

I do remember mainstream music getting particularly bad around this point so was expecting a poor score and that's what we've got.

Score: 3

Table

The score is some way lower but sort of proves that music died in the second half of 2005 at some point:

Top 30 in 1995 Reviewed: Week 8

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 28 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Wednesday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1995 with my verdict on each record:

30. M People - Open Your Heart

M People never seemed to be out of the Top 40 around the mid-90s, the hits just kept coming. They mostly followed the same sort of formula i.e. very commercial sounding vocal house tunes. I guess they had their place in the music world, just not the sort of music I would want to listen to though.

Verdict - Rubbish

29. GUN - The Only One (New)

Before I started to play this I thought that "The Only One" was by Thunder and was ready to write that I thought this record was by Thunder not GUN. Turns out Thunder do have a record called "The Only One" and this is a completely different song. It does ring bells to me though. It's a lot more mellow that you might expect, but they've done a pretty decent job of it.

Verdict - Good

28. Moby - Every Time You Touch Me (New)

At the time I recall someone saying there wasn't thing as an American raver because rave music doesn't exist over there. He obviously hadn't heard of Moby then, an American artist making rave music. I'm not sure if I was aware he was American at the time though.

Verdict - Good

27. EMF - Perfect Day (New)

EMF in 1995? This was their penultimate Top 40 hit to date and their first Top 40 hit since 1992. They've gone all Red Hot Chili Peppers on this record, I'm not going to pretend it's anything but the poundland equivalent but at the same time I quite like it.

Verdict - Good

26. Jade - Every Day Of The Week

This was the final Top 40 hit to date for Jade. Whilst I very much associate this record with 1995, it does sound like it could have easily come out in 1993 and as a result I remember Jade more fondly than other early 90s R&B groups who outstayed their welcome.

Verdict - Good

25. Mike And The Mechanics - Over My Shoulder (New)

It had been 9 years since Mike and the Mechanics made their Top 40 debut but this was just their 4th Top 40 hit which came 4 years after their 3rd. I remember watching this on Top of the Pops and what stood out to me was the whistle solo. Also little did we know at the time that the school boy in the video would be joining a new TV show called Hollyoaks later that year and would still be in it 27 years later.

Verdict - Good

24. Sting - This Cowboy Song

I remember this record featuring Pato Banton and was waiting for him to appear but then it never happened. It turns out it was a remix that featured Pato Banton which is miles better and as I remember that was the version we always heard it's the one I'm including.

Verdict - Good

23. Stevie Wonder - For Your Love (New)

This was the first Top 40 hit of the 90s for Stevie Wonder. It was also just his 3rd Top 40 hit without the assistance of others since he'd topped the charts with you know what over a decade earlier. He'd long been considered past his best, but I actually think this record is decent and that was the reason why he was back in the Top 40.

Verdict - Good

22. Gloria Estefan - Everlasting Love

The record "Everlasting Love" has been covered so many times I do wonder why one may thing doing yet another cover is a good idea. Maybe it's knowing that the familiarity would help sell records. Nothing to like about this cover at all really.

Verdict - Rubbish

21. Del Amitri - Here And Now

It had been a couple of years since Del Amitri had been in the Top 40. Before playing it I had no idea how this record would go. It rings a vague bell but I have to say I'm liking this record. The intro sounds a cross between "More Than Words" and "The Joker" but then as we get into it I start thinking this would make good music for the snooker. 

Verdict - Good

20. Bill Whelan ft Anuna And The RTE Concert Orchestra - Riverdance

There was a brief period of time when the Riverdance was big. Never been a fan of dancing myself so I ignored it the best I could. But given it's popularity they couldn't resist releasing a single from it. The fact it's all about watching the dancing rather than listening to the music though suggests the music isn't really up to much, which it isn't.

Verdict - Rubbish

19. R Kelly - Bump 'N' Grind

There was once a pub in Newcastle called "Tut 'N' Shive" and whenever I'd walk past it I'd sing this in my head but changing the words to "I don't see nothing wrong with a little Tut 'N' Shive". Then it changed it's name to "Dog & Parrott" and "I don't see nothing wrong with a little Dog & Parrott" doesn't really work. Anyway I love this record, it's the opening track to a "Pure Swing" compilation I own and also appears on his "12 Play" album which I also own.

Verdict - Good

18. Jimmy Nail - Cowboy Dreams

This was the 4th Top 40 hit for Jimmy Nail and his first not to make the Top 5. It was taken from the TV series "Crocodile Shoes" which Jimmy Nail was starring in at the time. I find this one pretty boring to be honest.

Verdict - Rubbish

17. PJ And Duncan - Our Radio Rocks (New)

This was the final single to be released from their "Psyche" album. They'd been out of Byker Grove some time by this point. It was now all about Frew and Barney DJing, not to mention Byker Groove (Charlie, Leah and Angel) who failed to reach the Top 40 with their single at the end of 1994. 

Verdict - Rubbish

16. Vanessa-Mae - Toccata And Fugue

My memory of this record is that Vanessa-Mae just seemed to come out of nowhere and we suddnely had this superstar violin player. She'd actually been around a few years but was now making a 'pop' album to appeal to a wider audience. This was her big hit and I actually quite like it.

Verdict - Good

15. Deuce - Call It Love

Steps have often been referred to as poundland Abba for the 90s which I don't disagree with at all. I would however say a more accurate description of them would be the Deuce of the late 90s. This was the Top 40 debut for Deuce and what I remembered most about it aside from how cheesy it was is the rhyming of face and disgrace. 

Verdict - Rubbish

14. Scarlet - Independent Love Song

When I first heard this on Top of the Pops I wasn't sure whether I'd heard it before or not. When the first verse was being sung, in my mind I'd never heard it before. Then the chorus came in and it sounded familiar. What I don't know is if I'd genuinely heard the chorus before, or its one of those things I feel I've heard before but hadn't. The verses and chorus bear no resemblance to each other and I like that about the song. 

Verdict - Good

13. Elastica - Waking Up (New)

Elastica were one of the best remembered Britpop groups, but they had just 3 Top 40 hits and this was the 3rd. The ended up being sued for the resemblance this had to "No More Heroes" by The Stranglers. I actually don't mind this record.

Verdict - OK

12. Nicki French - Total Eclipse Of The Heart

I was getting a bit confused when listening to this just now. My memory of it is that it was a dance cover of the Bonnie Tyler record, but I start listening and finding this too is a ballad. That is until around a minute and a half in when it turns into a dance record. It's a very poor transition though and a poor record all together. It's the only time Nicki French will feature, but she did have one further Top 40 hit in 2000 with the Eurovision entry which makes sense.

Verdict - Rubbish

11. (MC Sar And) The Real McCoy - Run Away

This was the 2nd UK Top 40 hit for German eurodance act (MC Sar And) The Real McCoy and the follow up to their biggest hit "Another Night". Unlike many other eurodance acts, they also were successful in America. Also unlike many other eurodance acts, I liked them enough to buy the album though admittedly this was years later and bought from poundland.

Verdict - Good

10. Ini Kamoze - Here Comes The Hotstepper

The only Top 40 hit for Ini Kamoze who had been around since the early 80s and was in his late 30s by this point. It has 90s nostalgia written all over it, but even in the late 90s I remember looking back on records like this and thinking they don't make them like that anymore.

Verdict - Good

9. Bon Jovi - Someday I'll Be Saturday Night (New)

One thing that strikes me about this record is that the concept of a Saturday night would be different for Bon Jovi than the average person. The appeal of the Saturday night is that it's the one night of the week you haven't been working during the day and you don't have work in the morning. Bon Jovi however would be more likely to be "working" on a Saturday night. It's not a bad record but it's nothing special.

Verdict - OK

8. Rednex - Cotton Eye Joe

I used to regularly go to a pub quiz where the first round was always music clips where we had to give the artist title and year. There would be a common theme between the clips and one time it was number one hits of the 90s in which this appeared. Obviously the artist and title wasn't a problem, but the year wasn't so straightforward. On one hand it entered the charts in 1994 but it topped the charts in 1995, so which year was he wanting? I can't remember which one it was now, but it was different to the one I gave. That association makes me hate the song even more than I did previously. 

Verdict - Rubbish

7. Perfecto Allstarz - Reach Up (Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag)

After deciding I wanted to go down the rave route, a question I asked myself was which records count as rave music. This was one that I did question and the answer is no not really. It was probably more to do with the fact I liked what I was hearing so if it did somehow qualify as rave then I'd be completely justified in liking it.

Verdict - Good

6. Alex Party - Don't Give Me Your Life

This was the big hit for Alex Party. It makes me think of the Smash Hits Poll Winners party but I can't find any evidence of this ever being on it. What it also reminds me of is that a few months prior I couldn't stand this sort of music but I was liking it by this point.

Verdict - Good

5. N-Trance ft Kelly Llorenna - Set You Free

This record changed my life. Prior to this I was part of the grunge crowd and rave was the enemy. I was becoming disillusioned with it all and felt I was listening to music I should be listening to rather than what I wanted to listen to. Then this came along which was precisely what I shouldn't have liked, but I thought it was pretty much the best record out at that moment. I concluded that rave was much more up my street and so my transition to a raver began. 

Verdict - Good

4. Madonna - Bedtime Story (New)

It was around the time of this record that I remember discussing with others that Madonna was old and it was maybe time she called it a day. She was 36 which doesn't seem old at all now. It's the same age Drake is now who is someone I regard as young and representative of modern music. Anyway the point really was that this record was shit.

Verdict - Rubbish

3. MN8 - I've Got A Little Something For You

This was the Top 40 debut and biggest hit for MN8. I've often said that British R&B in the 90s often sounded like a cheap imitation of its American counterpart. This is no exception, but at the same time what a tune. 

Verdict - Good

2. Annie Lennox - No More I Love You's

This was a record I remember a lot of people taking the piss out of at the time, myself included. We just all thought it sounded ridiculous. It's pretty dull and boring at the same time which just makes it worse.

Verdict - Rubbish

1. Celine Dion - Think Twice

I remember going on holiday in 1995 and going to a restaurant the first night which was almost empty. As I dined it became apparent why nobody went there. The restaurant manager seemed to love this song, playing it multiple times that evening and encouraging diners to get up and dance to it with him. Needless to say I never went back. A boring depressing record.

Verdict - Rubbish

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 18/30, or 60%. We're consistent again. 

UK Number 40s: Sister Bliss with Colette - Oh! What A World (1995)

 

I would have had this number 40 down as a record that's known in the dance music world but not to the wider public. However with just 558 views on YouTube in 9 years at the time of writing maybe it is just obscure generally.

Sister Bliss these days is best known for being a member of Faithless. She made her Top 40 debut in 1994 with "Cantgetaman Cantgetajob (Life's A Bitch)" which made number 31. This also feature the vocalist Colette, but I can't find anything about her on the internet.

Both records were part of the hardbag scene and were co-written by her Faithless bandmate Rollo. Likewise she was co-writer on Rollo's 1995 hit "Love Love Love - Here I Come" which was also part of the hardbag scene.

It was just weeks later that Faithless made their Top 40 debut with "Salva Mea" but it would take another year with the re-issue of their 2nd Top 40 hit "Insomnia" until they became household name.

Sister Bliss did have two further Top 40 hits outside of Faithless but both were in the lower reaches of the chart. 

Top 30 in 1993 Reviewed: Week 8

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 30 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Sunday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1993 with my verdict on each record:

30. Sister Sledge - We Are Family

This was 3rd time this record made the Top 40 having previously charted in 1979 and 1984. It was also the highest charting release. I gather this was released this time due to being featured in the TV show "The Gladiators" at the time. I got into an argument with someone else about what the best song from the show was, they liked this and I liked "The Boys Are Back In Town".

Verdict - Rubbish

29. Lulu - Independence

When Lulu collaborated with Take That later on in the year my perception was that it was the first time she'd been in the charts since the 60s. Turns out her comeback came at the beginning of the year with this record which passed me by. If you didn't know this was Lulu then you wouldn't know it's by a 60s singer, it sounds very much like a 90s record. Nothing special but it's alright.

Verdict - OK

28. Oui 3 - For What It's Worth (New)

A few years before Public Enemy sampled "For What It's Worth" Buffalo Springfield on "He Got Game" Oui 3 sampled/covered the same record. The chorus is the same but the verses are rapped. This was the first version I ever heard of this record and its one I've always liked. It was the first of 3 Top 40 hits for Oui 3.

Verdict - Good

27. Ultravox - Vienna

There seemed to be a lot of old songs being re-issued in the 90s to promote greatest hits albums and this was one of them. It famously was kept off the top spot in 1981 by a novelty record. As this was the 90s though it seemed unlikely it would be competing for number one this time and it wasn't. A decent record though nonetheless.

Verdict - Good

26. Peter Polycarpou - Love Hurts (New)

This was the theme tune to the TV series of the same name. It definitely sounds like a TV theme tune as well. Not too bad to listen to 30 seconds of at the start and end of a TV show, but not as a full song. 

Verdict - Rubbish

25. New Model Army - Here Comes The War (New)

New Model Army were one of those bands who would often feature in the lower reaches of peoples Top 10 bands around this time. This is their final Top 40 hit to date and as people learned they were around in the 80s they started to fall off peoples lists. They were definitely one of those bands I liked because it was cool rather than genuinely like. It's not a bad record though.

Verdict - OK

24. Jon Secada - Angel

The 2nd biggest Top 40 hit for Jon Secada which got no higher than 23, which may explain why many will only remember him for "Just Another Day". This ones purely a ballad though, but a pretty good ballad I have to say. I used to listen to a 90s radio station on the internet which was American and this got played a lot.

Verdict - Good

23. INXS - Beautiful Girl (New)

This was the final Top 40 hit from the "Welcome to Wherever You Are" album. INXS were my 2nd favourite band at the time and this record would have been part of the reason why they were. 

Verdict - Good

22. REM - The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite (New)

I remember hearing this on the radio for the first time and the DJ said something along the lines of "here's the new REM record, check out the lyrics to this" before playing it. By the end of the song I think the only lyrics I could make out were "can only swallow money". Many people though he was singing "calling Jamaica" in the chorus but he wasn't. Anyway I guess it all gives the song character.

Verdict - Good

21. Metallica - Sad But True (New)

This was the final Top 40 hit from their black album. It's probably got the most famous pause of all time in it. Around the time once I'd acquired enough tapes I put together my own compilation and this was the first song on it.

Verdict - Good

20. Thunder - A Better Man

Thunder have had 18 Top 40 hits to date, but this was the only one to make the Top 20. As is often the way with rock bands, this their biggest hit is a ballad. I'm liking the harmonica intro to the song, but unfortunately it doesn't really go anywhere and I start to lose interest until the harmonica comes back.

Verdict - OK

19. Stereo MC's - Ground Level (New)

This was the 3rd Top 40 hit from their "Connected" album. If memory serves me correctly it was the only Top 40 hit not included on the TV advert for their album. I didn't buy the album at the time but bought it later on in life from HMV in Oxford St. 

Verdict - Good

18. Shaggy - Oh Carolina (New)

I was yet to enter my phase as a rock purist because when this record came out it was my favourite song. I was such a fan that when I was getting sunglasses to go on holiday I said I wanted sunglasses like Shaggy. 

Verdict - Good

17. Rod Stewart - Ruby Tuesday (New)

This was the 6th Top 40 hit of the 90s for Rod Stewart with all 6 hits being covers. It was also his first of the 90s not to make the Top 10. I can't imagine too many people under 40 were buying his records by this point though, I certainly wasn't.

Verdict - Rubbish

16. USURA - Open Your Mind

This one reminds me of school discos where someone was getting pissed off with me copying their dance moves. I wasn't aware of the Simple Minds tune this sampled at the time, but now I'm very familiar with it I realise there's not really that much difference between the two records.

Verdict - Good

15. Saint Etienne - You're In A Bad Way

Also known as the one about Bruce on the Generation Game. I always hated that show but it was much better than the dancing nonsense he went on to present later on. Anyway to the song. It was Saint Etienne's 4th Top 40 hit and the first to make the Top 20. It certainly sounds more pop than their previous efforts, but in a good way.

Verdict - Good

14. Sting - If I Ever Lose My Faith In You

Sting is a prime example of someone who spent a few years in an iconic band followed by many years of releasing bucket loads of instantly forgettable crap. To be fair I do remember this record and a couple of his hits are alright, but this isn't one of them.

Verdict - Rubbish

13. Snap! ft Niki Haris - Exterminate!

I did like this record at the time but haven't heard it since. I was expecting not to like it now though as I've become much less tolerant of eurodance in general, but I was pleasantly surprised to find I still like it. The fact it's breakbeat rather than the kick drum probably helps, but it sounds like a proper dance record.

Verdict - Good

12. The Beloved - Sweet Harmony

This record is best remembered for it's video full of naked people rather than the actual tune. Reading through the video comments I came across one that sums it up perfectly for me "It sounds great and the message is still something to aspire to. It's a shame the years have made me cynical.". 

Verdict - Good

11. Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way (New)

When it came to peoples Top 10 bands, solo artists were allowed though they rarely featured because rock music was mostly done by bands. One solo artist in many peoples Top 10 around this time was Lenny Kravitz based on this record alone. Then it became apparent this was the same man who did "It Ain't Over Til It's Over" a couple of years prior and he followed this up with the very mellow "Believe". We all still liked this song though, but he was no longer worthy of a place in our Top 10s.

Verdict - Good

10. M People - How Can I Love You More

This originally made the Top 40 in 1991 but was remixed in 1993 to sound more like a pop record which is the direction they took for the rest of the decade. I guess you could call it dance music for people who aren't into dance music. I am into dance music though.

Verdict - Rubbish

9. Duran Duran - Ordinary World

If ever there was proof that everyone's got one good song in them, then this is it. I'm not a fan of Duran Duran, I've always found their music irritating generally speaking. But this record is excellent. It's easy to point the finger at the guitaring for making this record so good and it certainly contributes to that, but everything about it is good.

Verdict - Good

8. West End ft Sybil - The Love I Lost

We're into the final year of Stock and Waterman having hits which begins with this. It sounds like Stock and Waterman had little to do with it though, it's a cover and production was done by West End aka Eddie Gordon amongst others who were uncredited. That would explain why this record is actually quite good.

Verdict - Good

7. Rolf Harris - Stairway To Heaven

This was actually the first version of "Stairway To Heaven" that I heard. As such I found it difficult to take the original Led Zeppelin version seriously. That said the original is very overrated in my opinion. This cover is crap, but it's supposed to be.

Verdict - Rubbish

6. East 17 - Deep

It had already been established that boys weren't supposed to like Take That, but nobody had said anything about East 17 yet. Therefore I would make no secret at the time that I liked this record. It was their first Top 5 hit.

Verdict - Good

5. Whitney Houston - I'm Every Woman (New)

A week after Whitney Houston was finally knocked off the top spot we got this Top 5 follow up. It's also from "The Bodyguard" film and is a cover of the Chaka Khan record. At least this one isn't as depressing, but that's the only positive thing I can say about it.

Verdict - Rubbish

4. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You

You couldn't escape this record at the time, it was everywhere. I recall "The Bodyguard" film which this was taken from being massive as well. Let's just say the film was much better than the song.

Verdict - Rubbish

3. Annie Lennox - Little Bird / Love Song For A Vampire (New)

This double a-side is often a question on Popmaster and that's how I learned it was a double a-side. "Little Bird" was the one I remember being played at the time and I never really thought much of it. I have no recollection of hearing "Love Song For A Vampire" at the time. I've heard it since and don't think much of it either.

Verdict - Rubbish / Rubbish

2. Take That - Why Can't I Wake Up With You (New)

The lead single from their "Everything Changes" album. I'd say this ones long forgotten now, it's not one you hear anymore. Yet it was Take That's biggest hit to this point. That said they only had 1 single that didn't reach number one after this during their original run. I absolutely detested this song at the time and haven't really changed my mind.

Verdict - Rubbish

1. 2 Unlimited - No Limit

The tune which knocked Whitney Houston off number one which everybody sang "there's no lyrics" to. I'm terrible at making out lyrics in songs and I remember being criticised for not knowing the words to the other bit she sings and remember other people telling me what the words were. My thoughts were they would have been better of genuinely having no lyrics.

Verdict - Rubbish

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 17.5/30, or 58%. This feels a much better week.